JOHN 21:15-22 – When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
Theme of the Day. KEEPING OUR EYES ON JESUS. Today’s scripture is familiar. It is Jesus having breakfast with His disciples after they denied Him. I wonder if any of them felt uncomfortable at the meal. I wonder if they were thinking, “This is awkward. When is He going to bring up our public denying of Him?” Well, as we know, it never happened. That is not the heart of our Lord Jesus. He is forgiving and faithful. He does not hold their or our sins against them or us. But something did happen and that right after breakfast. Jesus and Peter had a one-on-one conversation. For Peter? This was so welcomed. The Lord restored him back into his ministry as an apostle. Peter wasn’t washed up because of his sin. Surely, Peter would be overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving. But something else happened, and a good lesson, even warning for us.
After Jesus restores Peter and gives him the command “follow me”, what does Peter do? He gets his eyes off Jesus, and places them on John – “Lord, what about this man?”.
So easy to do. Get our eyes off Jesus and start looking at other Christians. The look might be one of envy, critical spirit, a judgmental attitude, or some other unbecoming thought or gaze. And looking at other Christians when it comes to service or their walk with Jesus is frankly, not to be our concern. Jesus makes it quite clear with His response to Peter – “If it is my will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” Friends, it is okay to look at other Christians as examples, and to encourage them, but not to judge them or be concerned about what they are doing or not doing for the Lord. That assessment belongs to the Lord Jesus alone. Let’s focus on our walks with Him and pray for others, not look critically to others.
PRAYER: “Father, help me keep my eyes on Your Son, and not other people.”
QUOTE: “Keeping our eyes on Jesus prevents us from the disappointments in looking at people.”